by Matthew Holloway | Nov 6, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Voters in Mesa recalled District 5 City Councilmember Julie Spilsbury Tuesday night, ending her term in a special election triggered by a citizen-led petition drive.
In early reporting, Spilsbury has received 47.38% of the vote while recall challenger Dorean Taylor tallied 52.62% according to preliminary results from the Maricopa County Elections Department. The election marked the first successful recall of a sitting Mesa councilmember in the city’s history, ending with a concession from Spilsbury.
Early voting data released Monday showed Spilsbury trailing by a wide margin, with Taylor garnering 8,219 votes to Spilsbury’s 7,352. Turnout for the special election reached 16,201 voters as of this report, or 32.93% of registered voters in the district.
The recall effort, which took on a new dimenstion in August when Dorean Taylor announced her candidacy, was launched by a resident named Joanne Robbins and backed by Turning Point USA. Robbins launched the recall based on three specific “yes” votes taken by Spilsbury between 2023 and 2024: approval of a permit to convert a hotel into a homeless housing program, increasing city council salaries, and increasing Mesa utility rates.
In a Tuesday post to X, TPUSA, COO Tyler Bowyer was celebratory and congratulated Taylor on the win: “One of the biggest wins in America tonight, RECALLING the leader of ‘Republicans for Harris’ Julie Spilsbury. Congrats @taylorformesa!”
In a later post, he added, “When you organize effectively, you can defeat both the uniparty and the Left. We help the grassroots solve the problem of fake Republicans. Huge congratulations are in order for our wonderful team who worked their butts off ballot chasing in Arizona! WIN!”
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club also congratulated Taylor on her victory in a statement, “Congratulations to Dorean Taylor on her victory in the Mesa City Council District 2 recall election! Your election win sends a clear message: Mesa residents are ready for leadership that prioritizes stronger neighborhoods, smarter infrastructure, and fiscal accountability. We look forward to working alongside you as you champion better roads, lower taxes, safer streets, and a more affordable future for all families in Mesa. Here’s to a fresh chapter of progress and promise for District 2 and the entire city!”
Councilwoman Spilsbury conceded defeat Tuesday evening and attributed her loss to Turning Point USA directly, “I didn’t lose to Dorean Taylor. I lost to Turning Point,” she told 12 News. “And I think a lot of people in Mesa are going to be mad that an outside group came in and told us how to deal with our city, and that’s not OK.”
“The recall would never have been successful without Turning Point’s employees, over 30 of them, out knocking (on) doors, that are not from Mesa,” she added.
Taylor will be taking over the remainder of Spilsbury’s term, which ends in January 2029, at which point she may opt to run for a full term.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Oct 29, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Recent filings show Mesa City Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury raising $94,207 for her November 4 recall defense, including several Democratic donors and aligned figures.
Spilsbury, a two-term council member, entered the reporting period with a remaining balance of $1,631 from January filings before piling on over $90k in donations. Her total raised now exceeds her 2023 re-election campaign by nearly $30,000. She has reportedly spent $32,866 during the period, including $28,700 on consultant services.
Among Spilsbury’s donors are Tim Stringham, a Tempe Navy veteran and unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Maricopa County Recorder; Jennifer Pawlik, former Chandler Democratic state representative; and other individuals with Democratic ties.
Stringham contributed an unspecified amount, Pawlik gave $100, and former Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer gave $1,000, as reported by The Mesa Tribune.
Spilsbury also received $1,500 from the John Giles for Mayor Committee. Giles served as Mesa mayor for a decade before leaving office in January 2024 and has vocally supported both former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris in their presidential campaigns.
In addition to the others named, Councilwoman Spilsbury’s donor list includes: Colleen Wheeler, a Mesa healthcare executive ($4,250); Yasser Sanchez, a Gilbert immigration attorney ($3,500); David Johnson, a Mesa real estate broker ($2,500); David Stahle, a Mesa financial consultant ($2,500); Mary “Marcie” Hutchinson, Mesa Public Schools Governing Board member ($1,000); Stan Barnes, Mesa Republican political consultant ($500); Sean Lake, Mesa land-use attorney ($500); Dennis Kavanaugh, former Mesa councilman ($100); Dr. Andi Fourlis, former Mesa Public Schools superintendent ($100); Lacy Chaffee, Mesa Public Schools Governing Board member ($100); and Richard Humpherys, husband of Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board member Jill Humpherys ($50).
The councilwoman also received $17,300 from political action committees, including $6,750 from United Mesa Firefighters, $6,750 from Moms Fed Up, and $2,500 from Country First.
Taylor, a political newcomer, reported expenditures of $5,717, including $4,072 to Mesa Sign Shop and $900 to Moir & Associates for consulting.
Taylor’s donors include: Earl Taylor, a Mesa retiree and founder of Heritage Academy charter school ($3,200); Scott Grainger, a Mesa forensic engineer ($2,000); David Winstanley, a Mesa retiree ($1,042); David Cummard, a Mesa insurance CEO ($1,000); Joseph Hughes, a Gilbert retiree ($1,000); and Melody Whetstone, who ran against Spilsbury in the 2023 primary ($105).
Taylor received $5,500 from PACs, including $5,000 from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s Freedom Club and $500 from the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona.
The recall petition, initiated by a resident with assistance from Turning Point USA, gathered 5,235 signatures, of which Maricopa County verified 3,858. The petition accuses Spilsbury of using her office to advance private interests, citing her votes in favor of a temporary homeless shelter in District 2, a council pay raise, and increases in residential and commercial utility rates. The shelter vote passed 4-3; the pay raise and utility rate increases passed unanimously 7-0.
Spilsbury’s support for an anti-discrimination ordinance extending protections to groups, including gender identity, has also been referenced in the recall effort. Taylor has connected Spilsbury’s shelter vote to homelessness issues in Mesa.
In December 2023, residents at a council meeting criticized Spilsbury and former Mayor John Giles for supporting Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic candidates in the presidential election. The Republican committees of Legislative Districts 9 and 10 passed resolutions censuring Spilsbury for campaigning on behalf of multiple Democrats.
In the July 2023 primary for District 2, Spilsbury received 8,120 votes, or 65.91%, out of 12,322 total votes cast. District 2 has 49,329 registered voters, according to the Mesa City Clerk.
Spilsbury and her supporters have canvassed neighborhoods every Saturday since early September. Taylor has conducted door-to-door outreach and met with voters in the district.
The city estimates the special election will cost at least $104,577. The winner will take office the day after the vote count. If Spilsbury retains her seat, she will serve through January 2029; if Taylor wins, she will complete the remainder of the term.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 22, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Legislative District 10 Republican Committee in East Mesa has unanimously censured Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury for using her non-partisan office to campaign for Democrats in 2024. The censure also condemned her for voting in favor of allowing men to use women-only facilities.
Spilsbury, who is facing a recall challenge this year, became embroiled in a scandal after making public endorsements of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election, in addition to endorsing Arizona Democrats Congressman Greg Stanton, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Senator Ruben Gallego. The recall campaign, supported by Turning Point Action, submitted the 5,000 required voter signatures in May. Spilsbury is facing a challenge for her seat from conservative Dorean Taylor.
The censure from the LD10 Republicans lays out a case against Spilsbury for her endorsements of Harris, Stanton, Fontes, and Gallego despite her membership in the Republican Party, as well as her vote for “a non-discrimination order that allows men in women’s private spaces, and potentially penalizes business owners, forcing them to disregard or contradict their religious convictions and compromise their religious freedom and rights or be fined due to the ordinance,” according to a statement from the Committee.
The Committee also alleges that Spilsbury, “has benefited from her endorsements and publicly announced the offer of support and assistance in the current recall election, including Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego, the Democrat CD4 Representative, Greg Stanton, and the Democrat Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes.”
Spilsbury told Axios in July that the three Arizona Democrats have reached out to her to offer their support in her recall. She openly acknowledged the likely outcome of her endorsement of Harris in the 2024 Presidential election, telling the outlet, “I did what I did with my eyes wide open. I knew it wasn’t going to be popular.”
In the text of the censure, the committee resolved, “The Republican Committee of Legislative District 10 calls on Republican voters in Mesa to heed this vote of no confidence, cease recognition of Recalled Councilwoman Spilsbury as a Republican in good standing and cease support for Julie Spilsbury in any elected or appointed capacity, or future election for any prospective office.”
Earlier this month, the Arizona Freedom Club PAC officially endorsed Dorean Taylor in the Mesa Recall Election. Scot Mussi, Chair of the Arizona Freedom Club PAC said in a statement posted to X, “Dorean Taylor is exactly the kind of leader Mesa needs—someone who will stand up for taxpayers and put families first. Her vision for safer communities, responsible government, and protecting hard-working families from higher taxes aligns with the values we fight for every day.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Aug 25, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Following the announcement of her candidacy for the Mesa City Council seat currently held by Julie Spilsbury, who is facing a recall election, Dorean Taylor (DT) was willing to answer a few questions for AZ Free News to provide voters with a background on her and her candidacy. Taylor called out Spilsbury for repeatedly voting “to harm the people of Mesa with woke and ineffective government policies that violate our deeply held community principles.” She also placed blame on Spilsbury for increases in homelessness and utility costs.
Taylor announced her candidacy in July after Councilwoman Spilsbury faced serious challenges to her self-proclaimed status as a Republican for her enthusiastic endorsements of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election as well as endorsements from prominent Arizona Democrats U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego.
Asked to provide a background on herself, Taylor told us:
“I’m originally from the beautiful sunny state of Florida. My family still resides on the East Coast, and I enjoy flying back to see them and visit any time I can. I moved to AZ to attend the same amazing church I still attend today and complete my bachelor’s degree. While I was in school and working full time, I met the love of my life, a Mesa native! We got married, started life together in Mesa, and are still living here today. I’ve come to know and love my community here and have lived in or near District 2 since 2010. Our first home was at Lindsay and Brown. One of my favorite things about Mesa is the small-town feel you can experience in a large suburb. For example, my neighbors will ride their horses down the street and wave to us while we sit on the front porch, but just down the street is a shopping center and public parks. It’s incredible.”
Taylor then answered some questions regarding her campaign, her motivations, and what differentiates her from her opponent.
AZFN: What inspired you to join the race for City Council?
DT: “Thank you for asking. I spoke on behalf of my household and my neighbors, witnessing others who felt the same way speaking up too, and watching all of us be politely ignored. It’s become clear to me that its long overdue for the great people of Mesa District 2 to have principled, honest, common sense leadership on the City Council — representation that actually cares about implementing policies that will improve the lives of the people who call our city home. I’m running to ensure that we have better roads, a safer community, we work to end the homelessness epidemic, and reduce taxes and fees while making our government smarter and more efficient.”
AZFN: How do you differentiate yourself from Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury?
DT: “Our core principles on what drives us to action are different. Unfortunately, my opponent has repeatedly voted to harm the people of Mesa with woke and ineffective government policies that violate our deeply held community principles. She has not remained non-partisan. My opponent has supported policies that have led to an historic epidemic of homelessness on our streets, wasteful spending on pet projects, an increase in utilities, and a currently proposed more than 40% increase in Mesa water rates — Ms. Spilsbury has broken her commitments to the people who elected her, and she has lost the trust of our community. Over five thousand residents signed to recall her. The people have spoken. I’m running to restore honest, objectively principled, commonsense leadership in District 2. I will honor the code of ethics.”
AZFN: What are your top policy priorities once you take office?
DT: “My priorities are simple and align with the priorities of the people I am running to represent — lower taxes and cost of living, smarter and efficient government, safer neighborhoods, better roads that allow for less congestion and faster commute times, and ending the homelessness epidemic that has plagued our streets these past few years. The people of Mesa are incredible and compassionate. They want a representative government that works for everyone, and when I’m elected, that’s exactly what I’ll aim to deliver. One of my first goals is to send out communication to my district to keep residents informed of what is upcoming and to host townhalls for them. People want honesty and government transparency.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Aug 7, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The ongoing recall of Mesa City Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury has taken on a new dimension. Late last month, Dorean Taylor announced that she is now challenging the Democrat-endorsing councilwoman for her seat.
While the Mesa City Council and Mayor are elected on a non-partisan basis, Spilsbury, despite being a self-identified Republican, has made no mystery of her political alignment with vocal endorsements of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election and endorsements of prominent Arizona Democrats U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego.
Spilsbury told Axios that she has been contacted by Stanton, Gallego, and Fontes who have offered her their support.
Mesa resident JoAnne Robbins, who filed the recall petition in January, told AZ Central that Spilsbury’s endorsement of Harris over President Donald Trump contributed to her decision to lead the fight.
“To use her position and to then come out and stump for those who are against our values, that’s a total bait and switch and a very big disappointment,” Robbins explained. She added that she and other Spilsbury critics feel that her positions on the council failed to represent the values of her voters.
Turning Point Action has taken a prominent role in the recall effort, leading signature gathering events and posting regularly on social media with Republican figures, including former State Representative Anthony Kern and former State Senator Justine Wadsack.
Tyler Bowyer, Turning Point Action Chief Operating Officer, told 12News, “Julie Spilsbury was recalled because she chose to support Kamala Harris for president—as a Republican—in a district that went for President Trump by double digits.”
“It is proof that when you betray voters, there are consequences,” Bowyer added.
While Turning Point Action has not officially endorsed any candidates against Spilsbury, Bowyer told Axios, “It’s safe to say we’ll educate people on Julie.”
In comments to AZ Central, Taylor said she’s running for the city council because she doesn’t believe Spilsbury “cares about her constituents based on her talk (versus) her actions.” She added that those actions are “not representative non-partisan leadership.”
In a statement announcing her candidacy, Taylor said:
“I’m running to provide authentic representation to all residents of District 2 and to base my votes on constituent needs rather than personal opinions.
“District 2 deserves a council member who is transparent, accountable, and consistently shows up for the residents who elected them. This is a non-partisan position—a role that listens to both sides of the aisle and puts people first.
“My opponent has repeatedly voted against the will of her constituents on key decisions—including hiking utility bills, building homeless shelters in the middle of District 2 neighborhoods, and allowing men in women’s restrooms in the guise of equity.
“By not representing the values and principles that have made our country and community exceptional, Spilsbury has put us all at risk of losing the safe, happy, healthy, and vibrant Mesa we have all come to love.
“My goal is to reverse that trend.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
